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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4466 Location:

By Cheryl Robbins
The Council for Cultural Affairs (CCA) is working to promote tourism related to Hualien's historical buildings, community development efforts and local culture.

Aboriginal culture

Of Taiwan's twelve officially recognized aboriginal tribes, the Amis is the largest, with a population of more than 100,000. The Amis tribe is well represented in Hualien, with two of its largest villages, Mataian and Taibalang, located in Guangfu Township.

Mataian possesses a traditional Amis house that is more than 70 years old. This house was built mostly from wood, from trees that were cut by hand in the Central Mountains and hauled to the village by ox cart. Five years were required to complete construction.

In the wetlands on the southwestern side of the village it is possible to see demonstrations of traditional fishing methods.

The neighboring village of Taibalang is the largest Amis village, with a population of 5,600. One of its attractions is a small museum run and funded by the village's chieftain Chou Guang-hui. The exhibits include models of traditional buildings made by Chou himself, as well as cultural artifacts, such as traditional costumes and agricultural tools.

Another of the historical sites in Tabalang is a 150-year-old well. This is where the unique Blessing of Water Ceremony takes place every October to pray for sufficient drinking water for the village.

Japanese immigrant communities

During the Japanese occupation period (1895-1945), Hualien was home to a large population of Japanese immigrants.

Songyuan (Pine Garden)

This is the most complete Japanese occupation era military structure in Hualien County. During World War II, this is where Kamikaze pilots came to enjoy their last night on Earth, and went through a ritual to receive the blessings of Heaven.

It gets its name from the 50 tall pine trees standing in the courtyard, each nearly 100 years old. From the courtyard it is possible to enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.

The main building, which is a reconstruction of the original, features arched corridors and Japanese-style tiled roof. This building was used for military offices, kitchen, laundry and the like. A rear unit is a Japanese style wooden structure that served as a dormitory.

Cingsio Temple

This Zen temple was built in 1917, paid for by donations from Japanese immigrants in what is now called Jian Township. The temple was restored in 2003. Surrounding it are landscaped grounds and 88 stone Buddhist sculptures.
Community development in action

Fenglin Township tobacco dryers

Japanese farmers brought tobacco cultivation techniques with them to Hualien. However, traditional tobacco production required a large amount of labor, which could not be completely supplied by Japanese immigrants. Thus, in 1921, Japan started another immigration plan, this time focused on people already living in Taiwan, many of them Hakka from Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas. It was during this time that traditional tobacco dryers began to be built. These are two-story structures with a chimney for releasing heat and smoke. Inside, the tobacco leaves were placed on racks and the dryer was kept at a constant temperature, no easy task in earlier times.

After the end of World War II and the exodus of the Japanese, those farmers that had moved from other areas in Taiwan took over tobacco production and the number of tobacco dryers reached its peak in Fenglin in the '60s. In the 1980's, modern drying equipment began to replace traditional dryers. The Fenglin Township Government is working to preserve the remaining dryers, totaling 35.

Lintien Mountain Forest

Also in Fenglin Township is Lintien Mountain Forest. This was a logging camp built towards the end of the Japanese occupation era, and included grocery stores, a laundry, a barbershop, a clinic, a school, a preschool and an auditorium. In the 1960s, this logging camp was at its peak and contained 400 to 500 households with a population of more than 2,000.

In 1987, all logging activity was stopped and the camp was closed. Beginning in 1996 a series of activities were held to raise awareness and concern for the future of Lintien Mountain.

As a result, Chung Shan Hall, the camp's auditorium, has been completely restored and reopened in June of 2003. In addition, the Lintien Mountain Forestry Cultural and Exhibition Hall was developed from a renovated warehouse to display artifacts from Lintien Mountain's early days. Other parts of the community were restored to their original appearance, and Lintien Mountain is now a popular filming location.

Chihsing Tan Katsuo Museum

Next to the spectacular Cihsingtan Beach is a museum that opened last year to preserve the area's fishing and fish processing history and culture.

Katsuo is a type of fish that is only found in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Japan.

This museum, developed from an abandoned fish processing plant, features exhibits on traditional Katsuo smoking techniques and equipment, as well as information about local fish populations and ecological fishing techniques that are currently in use. Behind the museum is the Cihsing community, which is working to revive and promote itself as a traditional fishing village worthy of tourist dollars.

For details about the 2004 Hualien Historical Buildings Tour, call toll free 0800-448899 or go online to http://hbtravel.cca.gov.tw. More information about Hualien's cultural attractions can also be obtained from the Culture Bureau of Hualien County [Tel: (038)227121].
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Arura · Novice Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 25 Location:

Interesting I thought aboriginal culture is mainly in Australia.
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